Krakatau attracts tourists

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung

Activity at Mount Anak Krakatau might have increased over the past few weeks, but rather than cause panic the volcano has attracted both local and foreign tourists.

Residents that live near the volcano, which is situated in the Sunda Strait, are carrying on with their regular activities.

Meanwhile, the surge of tourists has been a blessing in disguise for fishermen, who are able to earn more money by renting out their boats.

The rental fee for a 10-passenger motorboat -- which will circle the volcano at a radius of 3 kilometers -- ranges from Rp 750,000 (US$83.00) to Rp 1.5 million.

Fishermen charge a fee of Rp 20,000 for each visitor departing from Canti Harbor in South Lampung, with boat rides to Sebesi Island, the nearest island to Anak Krakatau, available in the morning.

Local fishermen said visitors favored Sebesi Island due to its proximity to Anak Krakatau. Some stayed overnight on the island to watch molten lava flow down the mountain at night and in the morning.

The number of people wishing to observe the natural phenomenon has grown -- from dozens to over a hundred each day -- ever since the volcano was put on the second-highest alert status late last month.

Those who are afraid of going near the mountain can visit the Anak Krakatau Observation Station in Hargopancuran village, Rajabasa district, South Lampung regency.

However, the breathtaking sight of flowing lava can only be seen from the northern side, which faces Anyer, Banten.

Matondang, 37, said he came with his family to watch the volcano erupt after hearing about it in the news.

"I'm curious. I've visited three times with family members and neighbors. But we only dare observe it from the monitoring post," said the resident of Kalianda, South Lampung.

Bandarlampung resident Suharni came to observe the volcano after hearing about the spectacular view.

"People come out of curiosity to watch the volcano spew sand and smoke," she said.

The Meteorological and Geophysics Agency, however, has issued a warning prohibiting anyone from getting close to the mountain.

Visitors are only allowed to observe it from a distance of 3 km, due to the danger of volcanic material and poisonous gas emissions.

Station head Andi Suhardi said Anak Krakatau's eruptions, which were followed by either shallow or deep tremors, fluctuated from around 150 to 300 times daily.

So far, he said, the volcano's increased activity had not created panic among Lampung residents.

"Many people come here (to the observation station) to watch Anak Krakatau spew hot ash, with most of them staying overnight to observe the lava flow at night," Andi said.

He said visitors not only came from Lampung, but also from other areas, such as Jakarta, South Sumatra and even from abroad.

"A number of English tourists came here yesterday to watch the spectacle. They wanted to get closer to the mountain, but I stopped them," said Andi.

The Lampung provincial and South Lampung regency administrations have yet to carry out disaster mitigation measures.

Lampung Disaster Mitigation Response Division head, Ella Saleh, said her office had urged coastal communities, such as in South Lampung, Bandarlampung, West Lampung and Tanggamus, to be prepared for a major eruption.